Page 37 of Cause and Effect

“What’s wrong with you?” His brows furrowed.

“Nothing.”

He stepped inside and shut the door, sitting across from my desk.

“Parker told me about last night.”

“Of course he did.” I sighed.

“Do you regret it?” he asked.

“No. Yes. I don’t know, bro.” I pinched the bridge of my nose and felt a headache coming on. “It was different with her.”

His brow arched as a smirk formed on his lips. “I know that feeling.”

“No, Roman. It was even different than with Danielle. I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t have to, brother.” He smiled.

My office door opened, and Parker walked in.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Just discussing last night with our brother,” Roman replied.

“We need to take on one more pro-bono case this month,” Parker said.

“I have way too many cases right now,” I said.

“I handled the last one,” Roman said.

“Then let’s give it to Laurel. She’s new, and she was a public defender.”

“Give me the file,” I said. “I’ll take it down to her.”

He handed me the file and glanced at his watch. “I have to get to court. I’ll see you two later.”

I walked down to Laurel’s office. She waved for me to come in while she was on Facetime with her daughters.

“I’m happy you’re having a good time. I’ll see you three tonight. I love you girls.”

“We love you too, Mom!” They all shouted.

She ended the call and set her phone down.

“Can I help you, Julian?”

I handed her the file. “We need you to handle this pro bono case. His hearing is in a couple of hours. I have to see a client, so if you want, we can drive together.”

“Yeah. Do you want to leave now? I can review the file on the way.”

“Sure. I’ll text Sam to let him know we’re heading down and to pull the SUV around. I just have to grab my briefcase from my office.”

After grabbing my briefcase, we headed to the lobby and climbed into the Escalade at the curb. I glanced at her as she opened the file, scanned it, and closed it within seconds.

“I thought you were reviewing the case,” I said.

“I did.” A beautiful smile graced her face.

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